June 7th, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTY!

Well, Another year has flown by, mostly with out any major catastrophes.  Marty and I will be celebrating his 57th Birthday.  We don't celebrate the way most people celebrate.  No big party, no balloons, but we will have German Chocolate Cake and a nice dinner out.  What we will do is think of the family of Marty's donor.  With out the choice of organ donation that was made, we would not be celebrating this day together.  So although we have no idea who his donor was, we take this day to think of them and to say a prayer of thanksgiving.

So, back to May 21st-28th.... we were able to travel to Ohio.  It was the first time Marty was cleared to travel/fly due to some health issues.  It was quite an experience this time because he had to travel using a walking boot, custom made for his ankle.  People always seem to stare at him because of wearing a mask on the airplane. Picture a 6'4" man with long hair, beard, ponytail, sunglasses, wearing a mask and a high-tech looking leg brace,  of course people especially children, are looking at him.  But well worth it since we were there to see our Grandson Jonathan.  I had been able to see him this past year, but it had been over a year and a half since Marty had been able to see him (in person anyway.  Face time and Skype are nice but in person is so much better)  This is the grand way we celebrated our anniversary and birthdays, with Jonathan (and I guess I should include the rest of the family ;-)

It was amazing to see how Jon had grown and matured.  Our last visit, we read bedtime stories to him, this visit, He read to us.  Not just quick little easy stories, but "chapter" books. Spending time with him was the best birthday gifts we were able to give to each other.  The whole week was a gift. We also decided that the best thing about elementary school lunches is eating them with your grandchild, that alone makes the food top notch.  Jonathan also had a whole itinerary for us to accomplish..Ironman 3, Epic, fishing, bowling, McDonalds, McDonalds, McDonalds, watching him ride his bike, and playing at the park.  We did all except the bowling.  There just wasn't enough hours in the day....What a blessing this week was. (Thank you EVERYONE who helped to make this week possible.)  Love you all.

Marty's brothers and sister also had a little party for him at a family cook out.... it was a nice surprise.  He was able to visit with them for a short time, but you know a week just isn't alot of time to do all of the things you have in mind to do.  We plan to have more time there next visit. We are just thankful that we could see most off our family and hope that they understand our time constraints this visit.

This past year has  brought some losses to us.  Some family members and dear friends have passed away.  Some are friends or family members we met through the transplant process.  It has been said that after transplant it is like living on borrowed time, the loss of someone you have become close to still hurts.  Thankfully there are great memories with all of these people.  Life is short, LIVE....each day like no other. Some of the losses experienced this past year are due to ties being cut or stretched.  You deeply miss these people,  you hurt and grieve the loss, and you hope and pray they know the doors are always open.

So thankful that God has blessed Marty with another year here on earth. July is around the corner,  we will be celebrating his 5th year Transversary.  Who would have ever thought this would be our Journey..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN! I love you.